Disclosed are cells that have stably integrated into their genomes exogenous nucleic acid sequences, such as transgenes, within or proximal to the integration site of a sequence comprising at least part of an endogenous retrovirus (ERV) or a LTR-retrotransposon (LTR-RT), or instead of a sequence encompassing an ERV or a LTR-RT that is part or was part of the genome of the cell, as well as method of producing and using such cells. Advantageously, a high level and/or stable production of the transgene expression product(s) can be achieved. Transgene integration and expression may be furthered by modulating the DNA repair pathways of the cell, e.g., by transiently expressing a gene encoding a protein that forms part of a DNA repair pathway during transgene integration.

A recombinant myxoma virus that encodes the orfC gene of walleye dermal sarcoma virus (WDSV). The orfC gene of walleye dermal sarcoma virus (WDSV) plays a role in induction of seasonal regression of tumors caused by WDSV. This gene was isolated from WDSV and recombined into myxoma virus (MYXV orfC) for use as an oncolytic therapy. The recombinant myxoma virus can be used in oncolytic virus therapy to specifically target and lyse cancer cells without harming healthy cells in cancer patients.

Provided herein are compositions, systems, and methods for delivering cargo to a target cell. The compositions, systems, and methods comprise one or more polynucleotides encoding one or more endogenous retroviral elements for forming a delivery vesicle and one or more capture moieties for packaging a cargo within the delivery vesicle. The one or more endogenous retroviral elements for forming a delivery vesicle may comprise two or more of a retroviral gag protein, a retroviral envelope protein, a retroviral reverse transcriptase or a combination thereof. The retroviral gag protein alone, the retroviral envelope protein alone, or both the retroviral gag protein and retroviral envelope protein may be endogenous.

Provided herein are non-naturally occurring self-assembling polypeptides for transferring nucleic acids and/or proteins to a cell, pharmaceutical compositions comprising such polypeptides, and methods for treatment comprising use of such compositions. The methods for producing polypeptide compositions may include combining in a solution, unassembled recombinant GAG-like proteins, nucleic acids and/or proteins in low salt conditions; and increasing the ionic strength of the solution.

Disclosed herein, in certain embodiments, are recombinant Arc and endogenous Gag polypeptides, and methods of using recombinant Arc and endogenous Gag polypeptides.

The present invention relates to inhibitors of HERV proteins comprising HERV Env and/or Gag, or fragments thereof, for use in treating a tauopathy, Parkinson's disease, or ALS (Amyothrophic Lateral Sclerosis). The present invention further relates to inhibitors of receptors which bind HERV Env proteins for use in treating a tauopathy, Parkinson's disease, or ALS (Amyothrophic Lateral Sclerosis). The present invention further relates to molecules binding to HERV Env and/or Gag, or fragments thereof, or to a nucleic acid molecule encoding said HERV Env and/or Gag, or fragments thereof, for use in diagnosing a tauopathy, Parkinson's disease, or ALS.

The present disclosure relates to an endogenous Retrovirus K protein (ERVK) with an alternative envelope protein titled CTXLP. Said CTXLP peptide is represented by the sequences set forth in SEQ ID NO: 1. Additionally, antibodies that specifically recognize the epitope(s) set forth in SEQ ID NO:1 are and methods of use thereof and kits comprising the peptide set forth in SEQ ID NO:1 are also included in the present disclosure.

The present invention relates to a method for obtaining stable pseudotyped lentiviral particles including a heterologous gene of interest, comprising the following steps: a) transfecting at least one plasmid in appropriate cell lines, wherein said at least one plasmid comprises the gene of interest, the rev, gag and pol genes, and a sequence coding for an ERV syncytin, wherein the rev, gag and pol genes are retroviral genes; b) incubating the transfected cells obtained in a), so that they produce the stable pseudotyped lentiviral particles in the supernatant; and c) harvesting and concentrating the stable lentiviral particles obtained in b).

The present invention also relates to a method to transduce immune cells using lentiviral vectors pseudotyped with an ERV syncytin glycoprotein. The method can be performed on non-stimulated blood cells or on cells stimulated briefly with IL7, and the cells can be expanded.

The stable pseudotyped lentiviral particles obtained are particularly useful in gene therapy.

The present invention relates to an adenoviral vector capable of encoding a virus-like particle (VLP), said VLP displaying an inactive immune-suppressive domain (ISD). The vaccine of the invention shows an improved immune response from either of both of the response pathways initiated by CD4 T cells or CD8 T cells.

The present invention relates to methods and kits for diagnosis of cancer in a subject by detecting human endogenous retrovirus env (HERV-WL) polypeptides.